Hi there,Let me tell you something that might surprise you.Most people who message me about a job never actually say what they want.Seriously. I get 100+ DMs and emails a day. Some of them are great. But a lot of them look like this:
“Hi”
“Hey, are you hiring?”
“Can we talk?”
“Interested in opportunities. Let me know.”
Now imagine seeing 30 messages like that in your inbox and all from strangers, none with context, most without even a LinkedIn profile I can understand at a glance.
No role mentioned. No skills shared. No idea what they’re looking for.
This isn’t just unhelpful. It’s exhausting.
I get it. Reaching out is awkward.
I’ve been on your side.I used to be a frontend engineer. I still remember how weird it felt to message someone cold and try to sound “professional” while also not sounding like a robot. You want to show interest without seeming desperate. You want to be casual but also taken seriously.Now that I’m a recruiter, building ClanX and helping engineers land roles across top startups, I can tell you this: most people overthink it... and still get it wrong.Let me walk you through how to make it simple, clear, and most importantly, respectful of everyone’s time.
Case 1: You saw a job and want to apply
Don’t just say “Interested” or “Check my resume.”
Here’s a better version that sounds human and gets to the point:
“Hey, Juned this side. I saw you’re hiring for a frontend role. I’ve got 4 years of experience working with ReactJS at two product startups.
Would love to know if it’s still open and I can apply.”
That’s it. No fluff. No guessing. Just useful information that helps the conversation move forward.
Case 2: You don’t see a job, but want to get on the radar
Again, don’t go with “Hey, any openings?”
Try something more thoughtful:
“Hey Juned, I came across ClanX and liked how you work with early-stage startups. I’m a frontend dev with 4 years of experience building UI-heavy features. Would be great to stay in touch if something comes up.”
Now I know:
What you do
Why you’re reaching out
That you’re not just blasting messages around
What recruiters wish you’d do
Do:
Say what kind of role you’re looking for
Mention your skills briefly
Share why you’re reaching out to this person
Keep it short (3–5 sentences is perfect)
Don’t:
Send a “Hi” and wait for a response
Expect recruiters to figure out your background for you
Use copy-paste messages with zero context
Attach a resume and no message
Why this matters
You're not just messaging a recruiter. You're one of dozens, sometimes hundreds of people trying to stand out.
If you make it hard to help you, you’re less likely to hear back. Not because we don’t care, but because we just don’t have the time to guess what you want.
Make it easy for us. And you’ll be surprised how much faster the conversation moves.
Final takeaways
If you're reaching out, say what you want
Be specific, not vague
Show you're serious enough to write one thoughtful message
Respect their time, and they’re more likely to respect yours
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being clear, human, and helpful.
Thanks for reading!I’m currently hiring for 30+ engineering positions across top startups in India.[Explore open roles here]
If you’re feeling stuck or planning your next move, I can help you navigate it.[Book a call with me here]